I support people rallying at PSE offices across Western Washington on September 21st, and join the call for you to immediately halt Puget Sound Energy’s Tacoma LNG project.

I’m gravely concerned about climate change; as a former member of the Governor’s Carbon Emissions Task Force, I imagine you are, too. But I’m also concerned that your position on the Board of Directors of the American Gas Association motivates you to continue pushing dangerous natural gas, putting the health and well being of the residents of Washington State at grave risk.

A $310 million LNG facility would lock us into decades of fossil fuel dependency. Some say that “natural” gas is a bridge fuel, but they are dangerously wrong. At every stage — from drilling and extraction to transport and processing to combustion — “natural” gas releases methane, a greenhouse gas 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Overwhelmingly, peer-reviewed studies have found that methane from fracking virtually eliminates any beneficial impacts of gas production. The Union of Concerned Scientists has found that if the US electricity grid transitioned to primarily gas there would be virtually no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. That’s not a “transition”; it’s a death sentence for life on earth.

I am also concerned that this project is proceeding despite strong local opposition, including from Puyallup tribal members. This facility threatens Puyallup treaty fishing rights, the health of the local communities and environment, and our shared future.

I urge you to cancel PSE’s plans to build the Tacoma LNG facility. PSE can be a leader right now in the rapid transition to clean renewables. Will you be on the right side of history?